The University of Iowa School of Social Work

Practicum Partnership Program

Practicum Partnership Program

Current Events

The Practicum Partnership Program is working to build leadership in students in the month of February. A dinner was held for Dr. Deborah Waldop, an end-of-life specialist from University of Buffalo, School of Social Work. The students were able to hold a discussion about issues pertaining to the field and their passions and dreams about their future. A Medicare/Medicaid Conference was held with speakers Dr. Brian Kaskie, Carly Bessman and Dr. Merce Bern-Klug. Throughout the day many issues were discussed including policy, how Medicare/Medicaid function in a Nursing Home setting and where our profession is headed/concerns for the future. In the coming weeks the students will be taking tours of the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Davenport and another Hospice House in Des Moines. Interviews will be held to select students for next year's program. It is a very exciting month and we are proud of our students and thank everyone who has helped the program be as successful as possible.

Thank you for your help.

The Iowa Model

The University of Iowa, School of Social Work has been funded through the John A. Hartford Foundation to implement the Practicum Partnership Program: The Iowa Model. The Iowa Model is a program that exposes 2nd year MSW students in both Iowa City and Des Moines to three field rotations in practice settings, specifically focused on the needs of older adults.

Participating agencies include:

  • Iowa City- Iowa City Hospice, Johnson County Senior Center, Oaknoll Retirement Community, and UIHC Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Des Moines- Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Human Services-Elder Abuse, Hospice of Central Iowa, AARP, and the Alzheimer's Association.

Students selected into the program will receive a monetary stipend and other leadership training to assist them in becoming the next generation of gerontological social workers. For additional information about this program and its application process, please see either Sara Sanders (sara-sanders@uiowa.edu) or Bob VanderBeek (robert-vanderbeek@uiowa.edu).